Outdoor Cooking Program Specialist - Paid Summer Internship

Looking for a paid summer internship that transforms the lives of young people?

If you have a passion for cooking, teaching, and creating meaningful connections in a beautiful outdoor setting, this is the opportunity for you!

About Us:

Camp Starfish is on a mission to create a transformative summer experience for children with emotional, learning, and behavioral challenges. As an Outdoor Cooking Program Specialist, you’ll teach campers the joys of outdoor cooking, building essential life skills, and fostering confidence and teamwork in a supportive and inclusive community.

Responsibilities:

• Plan and lead engaging outdoor cooking sessions, including lessons on basic cooking techniques, meal preparation, and campfire cooking.
• Teach campers about food safety, nutrition, and how to build the best campfires.
• Live alongside youth campers in a cabin, providing 24-hour supervision and helping them adjust to camp life and group living.
• Create a physically and emotionally safe environment during outdoor cooking activities and other camp experiences.
• Inspire campers to set goals, develop self-esteem, and build resilience.
• Fully immerse yourself in camp life, including participating in activities like hiking, campfires, and team-building exercises.

Qualifications:

• Passion for cooking, outdoor activities, and working with youth.
• Ideal candidate is a college student studying education, nutrition, hospitality, psychology, or a related field.
• Experience with outdoor cooking, food preparation, or culinary arts is preferred but not required.
• Strong mental resilience and the ability to handle challenging but rewarding scenarios with empathy and composure.
• Ability to work the entirety of the summer season, including staff training dates.
• Pass all background and reference checks required for seasonal employees working with vulnerable youth.

Skills:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion, and openness to restorative conversations with campers and staff.
• Physical stamina and comfort with outdoor activities in varying environmental conditions (e.g., heat, humidity, bugs, and campfire smoke).
• Ability to apply behavior management techniques to help campers navigate escalated situations and develop therapeutic coping skills.

Development and Fellowship Opportunities:

• Course credit available in psychology, education, nutrition, and more.
• Over 140 hours of hands-on training for working with diverse children.
• Paid internship with 15-month Fellowship eligibility for additional professional development.
• Weekly seminars covering topics like Core Values, Self-Regulation, and Restorative Justice.

Internship Includes:

• Immersive nature experience in a beautiful outdoor setting.
• Room and board included.
• Laundry service provided.
• Paid time off.
• Travel stipend for staff members traveling over 250 miles.
• Forge lifelong friendships in a supportive and growth-oriented community.

How to Apply:

Ready to share your love for cooking while making a lasting impact on young lives? Apply now to join a summer filled with creativity, personal growth, and transformative experiences for campers.

Camp Starfish is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Join us in making this summer unforgettable for the campers who need it most!